With You Always is the first novel in Jody Hedlund's new series on the Orphan Train, and it is just as fantastic as her other novels. The storyline was well crafted and kept me glued to the pages. The novel was well paced and contained a perfect mixture of suspense, romance, danger, and betrayal that kept me continually guessing. I enjoyed learning more about the orphan trains, especially those where women signed up to go out West to earn money for their destitute families in the East. I was familiar with where they sent children out West if they were orphans or their families could not afford to care for them, but I did not realize that the women and men would often do the same thing to try to earn a living. I was saddened by the conditions that these people were forced to work in and how they were often never able to free themselves from the 'debt' they had to fulfill for the train ride and housing once they made it out West.


I enjoyed the interactions between Thornton and Elise. Both characters were well developed and engaging, and it was great to see how they challenged one another to look past their stereotypes and pride and then be able to use that to help others. The other more minor characters added greatly to the story, and while some of their situations were left in pieces at the end of this novel, I know that we will see them again in future novels. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this new series!

I received this novel from Netgalley and Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent book by Jody Hedlund!

The author has the unique ability to make history tangible. In this case, she brings to life the orphan train that brought desperate young women from the East to the Midwest as seamstresses and other labor positions. It's a fascinating piece of history that is rarely written about and she does it justice.

The main characters were wonderful! Their relationship was filled with wit, friendly banter and an occasional dose of sarcase. Despite their flaws, they were very likable.

I'm looking forward to the next books in this series!

One of my FAVORITE aspects of historical fiction is the spark that makes readers want to dig deeper into the history surrounding the story and find out more. Jody Hedlund consistently excels at creating that spark, bringing history to life while also crafting an authentic, entertaining, and heartwarming story.

The danger, destitution, and desperation of New York City's poor immigrants during this period is vividly portrayed and contrasted against the abundant work opportunities available across the fresh, wide open expanses of central Illinois farmland. Elise Neumann's life in the city is in a constant state of "between a rock and a filthy, hard place." She and her younger sisters are literally fighting for survival while struggling to care for a pair of young orphans.

Thornton Quincy has the potential to become a great leader. Despite his ignorance of the hardships endured by the working class, his moral compass is true. Thornton has a lot to learn about the cost of a hard day's work and he needs to weigh what he discovers against his father's expectations for his business and future. 

This story touched my heart and had me looking up old railroad maps from the time period. I'm eagerly anticipating each new story in this series and highly recommend this book!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

I’m a fan of Jody Hedlund. I will admit that I haven’t loved every book that she’s written, but I’ve really loved some books she has written. That said, I was hesitant to read this one. Reading the premise, I thought, here’s another book based on lies and misconceptions that’s going to follow the usual formula. But it doesn’t! I so enjoyed in this book. Here’s why:

What I liked:

Elise. I could appreciate her hard-working ethic and her desire to keep her family together. Elise doesn’t start off in the book with the best outlook on God, but it made sense. She wasn’t overly bitter, she was just incredibly frustrated. Life had dealt her some hard cards and things don’t appear to be getting easier. Nevertheless, she’s really easy to like. She’s extremely caring and extremely loving–even to her own detriment at times. But she was a reliable heroine in the sense that you could trust her to fix her mistakes if she made them.

Thornton. He was a sweetheart. He’s clearly placed in a ridiculous position (what kind of parent does that to a child?) and he does his best to get-her-done. I really liked that Thornton isn’t about keeping secrets and lies, in the beginning, it just sort of happens because he never thought to meet someone like Elise. But, I also like that once he sees where things are going, he comes clean. He changes and he grows into a wonderful hero.

The plot. I will admit, I saw orphan train and thought: yawn. But it’s not about a bunch of little kids. This book is about people surviving in a Depression and working hard and making sacrifices and learning that just because people are different doesn’t mean that they are not worthy of an opinion. While it was predictable in parts, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The romance. Thornton and Elise are obviously attracted to each other from the first, but they still take time (or rather or forced to take time) to become friends. Their relationship is grounded on trust and conversations and facing hard situations together. Loved it.

Spiritually, the themes of the book are learning that God is trustworthy and I would say, taking a leap of faith.

What I didn’t like:

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. It literally just ends. The only way this works is if book two picks up right where this one finished because otherwise that was a disappointing end.

Romantic scale: 8.7

Overall, read this book! Start this series! You won’t be disappointed.

**I received a copy from Netgally. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

I’m not quite sure where to begin, as I am still in awe of what I just read. I was captivated by the characters and the setting before I even started to read it, partly because I read the prequel, partly because of the amazing cover, and partly because of the blurb on the back of the book. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I started reading and could not get enough. I felt like I was back in the 1850’s, building a new town and trying to provide for my siblings with Elise.
Now, I’m not sure how often there were contests to take over the family business like there was in this book, but Jody has made me a believer. The way she wrote it and spelled it all out was like she had been around a scenario herself. Thornton was my favorite character by far. What upper class man is willing to get his hands dirty and go through what the “workers” go through, especially in this time period? I wouldn’t think it would happen often. But Thornton has a way of defying the norm, which makes him special. At least in my eyes. He’s the character that at first you don’t think you want to like. At all. But over time he kind of grows on you, and the more onion layers he peels away, the more attractive and interesting he becomes.

I cannot wait to see what future installments of the Orphan Train series have in store for us. I hope there is more about Elise’s younger siblings. I can’t say more than that, because I don’t want to give away anything. But they were great characters, especially Marianne. She had spunk, and while she didn’t always make the best decisions, she certainly had a good heart and was just trying to do what she thought was right. Oh why do good things have to come to an end! Make sure you take your time reading – you don’t want to miss anything, and more importantly you’ll have a book hangover when you’re done.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Author Jody Hedlund dependably pens characters with well-established personalities. I loved the nurturing tendencies of Elise and the gentlemanly determination of Thornton. It *did* take me a few chapters to really settle into the plot and the direction the story was taking, but I empathized with the characters immediately, especially concerning the plight of Elise and her family.

I liked that the challenges both Elise and Thornton face are not only tactile and physical but also challenges to their very hearts. Elise, for instance, faces finding a place for her family AND coming to terms with her faith that God is constant, and for her. Thornton deals with the manner of proving himself; whether choosing to set aside his pride is worth a greater, selfless task he can accomplish in the wake of his dreams.

Through the ups and downs of Elise and Thornton’s intersecting journeys, a sweetly natural romance emerges. Jody handles this with her signature style (read: era-appropriate swooniness) and realistic conflicts. The romance combines with the threads of faith, a story of finding a “true home”, and the belonging found with friends in a close community to make With You Always a rich story AND a lovely introduction to a new series.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary review copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

The plot of this book is not quite what I expected- when I hear "orphan train" I picture the children from the city getting placed in families out West. The author instead focuses on an orphaned family being torn apart as unemployed women are sent on trains to help establish new towns where there are jobs waiting to be filled. Of course, my expectations of the quality of writing were met- I learned so much history, was immersed in the setting, and the characters came to life with emotion and feeling as they navigate complex relationship dynamics and uncertain and desperate circumstances. The main perspectives are Elise and Thorton as they embark on new ventures in Illinois, but we also see some scenes from Elise's family she had to leave behind in New York. While Elise is the strong and stalwart oldest sister who takes on the responsibility of her sisters and the young children they take under their wing, on her journey we see her vulnerability and innocence as well as her fortitude and spunk. Thorton is drawn to her and his protective feelings quickly develop into something more, despite his plan to court and marry a high society lady he believes his father would approve of. Elise challenges his town development methods and unequal treatment of the female employees, and grows to admire him as he meets her challenges and is changed through the experience. There are villains lurking and conflict arises as Thorton's deadline grows closer, and Elise's concern for her sisters is validated. They both struggle with faith but their trials prove to be a refiner's fire that strengthens them as they reconcile with the Lord and turn to Him for guidance. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

With You Always is the first full-length novel in the Orphan Train series by Jody Hedlund. I love this author's writing. Don't mistake this as me saying I'd review this book with rose-tinted glasses. I wouldn't. Honesty is always super important to me. Favorite author or not. Jody just has a way of setting a scene for me. She captures all five senses, touch, sound, taste, sight and hearing in a way that few authors can. I feel as if I get a good idea of all that the characters are experiencing.

I think that some parts of this book were slightly predictable but it didn't ruin the story for me. I think anyone reading would have been able to pick up on the subtle Cinderella vibe. It works for this story though. Maybe I'm just a romantic at heart. Can't fault me for that, ehh?

I think I mentioned in my review of "An Awakened Heart" that this book gives me a "Call the Midwife" vibe. Certainly, this book continues to delve into social injustices and the plight of women. I wouldn't say that it has an overt feminist tone by any means. It does, however, give an accurate glimpse into social issues, that while much improved, need to be resolved even still.

When I picked this book up, I almost expected the focus to be on Christine and Guy from "An Awakened Heart." This book, however, focuses on Elise and her struggles to provide for her siblings after the mission was forced to close its doors. My heart went out to this young woman but I appreciated her strong personality and determination. I loved how she pushed Thornton to be a better man and to learn from experience the conditions that his workers endured.

Again, I must warn that this book is a bit predictable and maybe even a little sappy. But, as usual, the author didn't shy away from the dirt and grime of life. Instead, it was woven in seamlessly. Jody Hedlund truly has a gift for capturing the trials and triumphs of the indomitable human spirit.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Netgalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.

With You Always is about Elise a faith based woman who because of the death of her parents has taken it upon herself to look after her siblings and keep them all together. She found a shelter that provided a ;lace to stay and a job. She meets up with Thornton, who is in a kind of contest, set up by his father (nice father right?), against his twin brother. He is to build a town and get married in 6 months. Elise meets up with Thornton and Thornton starts to see things in a different light. GOD is so good isn't HE? Amen - Will Thornton succeed in his task? Will Elise keep her family together? Will Elise and Thornton see each other through the eyes of love? This book is unreal.........it is one incredible book, please do not miss out......

After thoroughly enjoying Jody Hedlund's An Uncertain Choice trilogy, as well as Newton and Polly, I knew I'd want to try more of her stories. And once again I was not disappointed! As a reader who used to devour historical novels but has become drawn to contemporaries more often of late, it takes an exceptional author to get me back in the genre again. Let me just say that Ms. Hedlund is definitely exceptional! :) The characters, the setting, it drew me in and left me with all the feels by the final pages.

I grew rather fond of Elise as her journey progressed. She's had such a rough life and I admired her strength to keep going in spite of everything. I cannot imagine the sheer determination required of those who lived back then, the squalor and painful, hard work that they endured every single day. Makes me glad to live in modern times, for sure! I loved watching Elise create this new little family around her once she arrives out west. Especially how her friendship with Fanny grows slowly, but surely.

And then there's Thornton! I admit to getting a little thrill every time his name was on the page, just because it reminded me of Elizabeth Gaskell's John Thornton. (swoon ;) This Thornton is fairly swoonworthy as well, he and Elise certainly have great chemistry! Yet I was glad that they were both given a nice dose of reality in the initial stages of their romance because they needed it. But never let it be said that I didn't enjoy their adorableness together! For all their differences, they truly did complement each other very nicely.

I was easily swept up into these characters lives and was more than happy to stay there as long as possible! I do have to say that the ending felt slightly abrupt to me though. I figure that's mostly for setup to get me interested in book two and it worked! So while it kind of bothered me, I can easily forgive it. And anticipate the months until the next book comes out! :)

**I received a complimentary copy via Bethany House. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fantastic characters, fast plot, engaging time period.
Overall, a great read!

Review left on Goodreads and Amazon

I immensely enjoyed this historical fiction story and was so happy to read that it is first in a series. This gives a bird's eye view of some immigrants had to go through during this time period. The contest was an interesting idea on how to develop new towns in midwest that added to the story. Highly recommended. Looking forward to the next book.

This is a wonderful story of Elise and her determination to make a better life for her and her family. I was concerned when she came upon misfortunes and cheered when she conquered her fears. Elise thought she was just a plain, immigrant girl but she was so much more.

Thornton met Elise and couldn't get her off of his mind. He knew she was someone special but he was so caught up with proving to his father he was worthy and the competition against his brother. He almost lost a wonderful gift from GOD.

GOD was with Elise always. She didn't realize it. She fought against it. She refused to believe it but GOD was right there.

The answers we often seek are sometimes right in front of us. We get so caught up with everything around us that we need to just stop. We need to stop- take a moment to reflect- pray to our Heavenly Father and the answer will come. GOD is there to guide us every step of the way.

Elise and Thornton's story is an excellent example of this. GOD was there and he provided.

Great book. I loved the story and look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you, Jody Hedlund, for giving me hours of enjoyment.

From our comfortable armchairs in the 21st century, it's difficult to imagine what life was like for immigrants in the 1800s. Jody Hedlund asks the big 'What if?' questions that help the reader understand what life was like for an unprotected female in the 1850s but forces us to consider our assumptions about 'the poor' and our response to their plight.

Hedlund does a masterful job of describing the society--both wealthy and destitute in a time period when the two groups seldom interacted with each other. Thornton Quincy's father, a scion of power and wealth in New York City, challenges Thornton and his twin brother to contest to see who is most worthy of inheriting the estate and business when he dies. Despite his silver-spoon upbrining, Thornton has a heart for charity and the plight of the under trodden-that awakens even more when has a chance encounter with Elise, a destitute German immigrant.

The paths of Thornton and Elise cross again when Elise agrees to go west to help populate a new town in order to save her sisters from starvation. Sparks fly as Thornton and Elise meet again on the train west and Elise opens Thornton's eyes to just how unfair the prevailing attitudes towards the poor really are.

With You Always by Jody Hedlund is the first book in the author’s new Orphan Train series. The novel starts in 1857 in New York. Elise Neumann and her two sisters were out on the streets until Miss Pendleton discovers them. She persuades them to move into her Seventh Street Mission. Elise works as a seamstress in the workroom on site until the recession hits. Left with no choice, Elise agrees to go west with New York Children’s Aid Society to find work as a seamstress. Marianne and Sophie, Elise’s sisters will stay in New York with Miss Pendleton at the mission along with two young children the Neumann’s took in. Thornton Quincy and his twin, Bradford are given a challenge by their dying father. The son who establishes a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad and marries for love will become the new head of his company (they only have six months). Thornton establishes the town of Quincy, Illinois (want to guess where Elise ends up). Elise and Thornton had met in New York during the gang riots and Elise made an impression upon Thornton. They meet up again on the train and have an instant connection. But Thornton cannot let himself be distracted from his goal of winning the competition. As it turns out, Elise can help Thornton with the town and his life. Can Thornton give Elise up to marry a woman of his class? Which brother will win the competition?

With You Always is well-written, has a steady pace and flow, and good characters. I enjoyed the authors descriptive writing which brought the story and characters to life. The characters were lifelike with real life troubles, sorrows, happiness and love. I liked Elise (and her values) and how she influenced Thornton and others. There is a light, Christian theme throughout the book that I appreciated. We see how God is always with us not matter how we feel towards Him. I enjoyed the authors take on the orphan trains. I have read several books about the children sent out west to find homes, but there are very few on the woman that went looking for work. I was drawn into this story and it held my attention until the end. There are several storylines in this novel, but it is easy to keep track of them along with the related characters. Ms. Hedlund did a wonderful job of portraying this time period. She showed the struggles that immigrants, women, and the poor faced in our country and the difficult choices they faced. I give With You Always 4.5 out of 5 stars. At the end of the book, I was left with a couple of unanswered questions. It is frustrating and disappointing when you finish a book and it is incomplete. I hope answers are provided in the next book in the Orphan Train series (which I will be reading).

With You Always

An Orphan Train novel

By Jody Hedlund

Starting the story with the free novella, An Awakened Heart, we learn of the hardships of Elise Neumann and her family. She is discovered living on the New York streets by socialite Christine Pendleton. Christine volunteers at the Centre Street Chapel trying to make a difference in the lives of the destitute immigrants. Along with Guy Bedell, Christine tries to help orphans living on the streets especially Elise and her sisters.

In With You Always, a crisis leaves Elise taking care of her sisters and two children of a family friend. When her work as a seamstress becomes null and void, she has to take a job out of state in Illinois so the family can survive. She joins the train taking orphans to the Midwest to find work in a new railroad town; leaving her sisters in the care of Christine and Guy.

Previously during a riot in New York, she met Thornton Quincy who helped her escape back to safety at the chapel mission. It isn’t until Elise boards the train that she meets him again.

Thornton is a son in one of New York City’s wealthiest families. With his father dying, he is tasked in a competition against his twin brother. The son that succeeds in building a town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and truly falls in love will inherit the family business.

However, Thornton didn’t count on how important Elise would become to not only his town, but also to his heart.

Elise boarded the train thinking she was getting a job as a seamstress only to become the train depot restaurant chef.

With sabotage, intrigue and a pinch of spice, so much more than dining room fare starts to cook in this historical romance.

Jody Hedlund brings the trials and tribulations of the 1850’s women to light. When reading her historicals, you feel as if you are in the story right along the characters.

In her new series Jody Hedlund explores the Orphan Trains and the women that were an integral part of them.

As Jody Hedlund says, “Many of us have long been fascinated by the era of the Orphan Trains and the heartrending stories of the homeless and helpless young orphans who were taken from the streets of New York and other eastern cities and shipped west by the dozens.
While stories of the orphans who rode the trains have been told, and rightly so, the stories of the women who were involved in the movement are not as well known. One of the things I like to do when telling my stories is to focus on women who have been overlooked by the pages of history. I consider it a great privilege to bring forgotten women to life for new generations of readers. Thus throughout this series I’ll be focusing each book on a different aspect of the Orphan Train movement, particularly from the perspectives of women who experienced riding the trains in one form or another.”

I always enjoy Jody’s novels as they are entertaining to be swept up along with the characters as they journey through their adventure but also because I learn a day-in-the-life of women in the history of American life. Jody champions the struggles that women faced leading to the advances we have nowadays. Without these women that fought with strength, we might not have the social justices we have won today.

I look forward to the next episode of where the trains take us.

For more information and to find out where to get the free novella Awakened Heart be sure to visit Jody Hedlund’s website at www.jodyhedlund.com



FTC Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this title by Bethany House publishing and author Jody Hedlund for review purposes only; no other compensation was awarded.

Jody Hedlund has fast become one of my favorite authors. I read An Awakened Heart, which is the prequel to this book, and was so intrigued by it that I knew I wanted to continue the story and read With You Always. I definitely was not disappointed--in fact I didn’t want it to end. Jody Hedlund is a master storyteller. Her exquisite prose, memorable characters, and attention to historical detail drew me in quickly and held me spellbound until the last page. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. This wasn’t an easy book to read, because it featured the plight of poverty-stricken immigrants in New York City and other areas of the country in the 1850s, however, it is a captivating glimpse into part of American history. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

It is a well known fact that Jody writes some of my favorite books of all time. Her ability to express the time and place in a beautifully real way has drawn me into more than one story. And on more than one occasion, my attention would not be relinquished until I turned the last page of the book (or longer).

With You Always is the beginning of a new series and it is full of the same passion and faith that infuses Jody's other books. Elise is an immigrant woman in New York during the mid 1800s. A challenging time for many people, a single woman trying to take care of her siblings had limited options. When heading west to find employment, Elise struggles between doing what is best for her family and not wanting to be separated from them. Will she open her heart to God and allow Him to guide her steps?

With so much uncertainty about his future, Thornton Quincy battles to find his identity. Constantly being compared to his brother, he has never allowed himself to find who he truly is and the kind of man that he wants to be.


The emotions in this story gripped me from the start. So much suffering, so many families torn apart, my heart was (and still is) heavy with the situations that our characters face. However, it was so encouraging to witness God's hand weaving in and out of their lives. Lining up the pieces and placing everything in order. Although, beware the cliff hanger. AH! I am hoping that this story continues if not strictly from Elise's perspective than maybe Marianne's or Sophie's....because I NEED ANSWERS!!! Ok, that is all...Pick up this book, read it, and let me know what you think of it! I think this is a brilliant opening to the series and a unique look into an aspect of history that is so easily overlooked.

I received a complimentary copy of With You Always from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The stories behind The Orphan Train have always fascinated me. That people were so desperate that they sent their children away to be adopted by other people. Those stories did not always have happy endings. What I didn't know was that during the financial crisis of the 1850s, the Children's Aid Society also sent out women: usually seamstresses and trade girls to work on the new frontier. Their stories also didn't always have happy endings.

Here we learn about Elise Neumann who must leave New York for a job in Illinois to provide for her younger siblings after their mother dies. Elise crosses paths with Thornton Quincy, the son of one of New York's wealthiest men. Thornton and his brother are in a competition to see who can establish a successsful town first and inherit their father's business.

Jody Hedlund has a way of showcasing, not only the human spirit, but the strength of women and this is just one reason I adore her writing. Elise is feisty and soon realizes that the opportunities promised in New York are far from ideal. I loved how she stood up to Thornton and convinced him to work alongside his employees so that he might now how the working class feel. And Thornton finally standing up to his brother and father was awesome.

The story is tinged with sadness and heartbreak and while not a cliffhanger, we are left with uncertainty about Elise's family and I am grateful that this is the first of a series so that we might know what happens to everyone.

Storyline
This story starts off in New York City during the 1850's. Elise Neumann is the oldest of three girls, and after losing their parents, she is left with taking care of her family. When a financial crisis hits and jobs are scarce, Elise knows she must do whatever necessary to provide. She hears the New York Children's Aid Society is offering jobs for ladies in the Midwest. Hesitant to leave her sisters, she takes a position knowing this might be their last hope.

Thornton Quincy, son of one of the wealthiest families in New York, is on a mission. His father has offered a challenge to his twin sons, in light of his declining health, to see who will inherit the family business. He requires them to do accomplish two objectives within six months: they must each build a successful town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and they must get married. Thornton didn't factor Elise into his plans but as they get to know one another, she challenges him and he must decide whether to fight to win or fight for what is right!

Depth
One piece of historical knowledge the reader will gain is getting a vivid picture of what life was like for women and orphans during this time period in New York; not pretty. Dangers, separation from family and poverty abound for them, and each of Elise's sisters feel the pain with different circumstances.

Elise and Thornton both feel inadequate. For Elise, this means continuing to fail at fulfilling her dying mother's last wish - and realizing she cannot do it on her own. Thornton continually feels as though he doesn't measure up to his twin brother. He desires to make his dad proud and longs to hear him declare it before he passes away. Both characters battle insecurities and worth, but in time take on different perspectives.

Faith
After living through many painful experiences, Elise has pushed God away - feeling as if He has abandoned them. She comes to learn that she was the one who walked away. Bad things will happen in life and we all will face trials, however, God promises to walk through them with by our side and will never leave us. Elise and Thornton both experience God's faithfulness. We always appreciate how well Jody weaves faith into her stories!

Love Story
Thornton and Elise have a very up and down relationship. Thornton is practically engaged to a lady back in New York that would be a perfect fit for him, according to society. His head knows it; but he cannot get his heart to believe it. Elise and Thornton battle feelings of wanting the other, yet are plagued with wondering if it could ever work. We experience many sweet and tender moments with these two! Will it last? Or will they give in to what is expected and let their hearts suffer?